The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has undertaken several reforms to streamline the recruitment process and make it more efficient, transparent and time bound as well as to enhance the examination credibility and integrity. Interview for appointment to Group ‘C’ and Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) posts has been dispensed with effect from 01.01.2016 so as to expedite the recruitment process and to ensure fairness and objectivity in recruitment examinations. Provisional appointment letters can be issued on the basis of self-attestation alongside a six-month time limit for both character and caste certificate verifications. Recruitment for the vacant posts has been undertaken in a time bound and mission mode manner by all Ministries/Departments and Government organisations and several lakh appointment letters have been distributed through National Rozgar Melas launched by the Government from October 2022.

There are two recruitment agencies under the administrative control of this Department – Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has implemented a comprehensive set of administrative and technology-driven reforms to strengthen the integrity, transparency, efficiency, and security of its examinations. Recruitment cycles have been reduced from 15–18 months to an average of 6-8 months with reduced examination tiers and implementation of Computer-Based Examinations, SSC has introduced a secure ‘e-Dossier’ system for tamper-proof, swift and secure digital document communication. SSC has also launched a Sliding Mechanism Framework to maximize vacancy utilization through merit-based post upgradation. Transparency has been enhanced by publishing tentative and final answer keys, inviting candidate objections, lowering challenge fee, and releasing marks and results online.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced several reforms which have reduced the recruitment cycle further from over 15 months to about 13 months. The reforms include a Modular Online Application Portal to simplify application process, AI-based verification of Civil Services Examination attempts, face authentication to prevent impersonation and release of provisional answer keys with a structured representation mechanism. UPSC has also established a dedicated candidate helpdesk, expanded examination centres to additional locations and introduced a guaranteed choice of examination centre for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Prime Minister’s office and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

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